Edinburgh Napier University

Course overview

This CIMSPA-endorsed Gym Instructor qualification has been designed around real-world employer needs and this places you on the pathway to chartered status. You will learn about the role of the Gym Instructor and apply these skills is to engage, facilitate, educate and support clients in the gym environment. 

Completing this professional standard will ensure that you will be able to:

• Maximise the customer experience 
• Understand the importance of, and perform routine maintenance and cleaning
• Develop an understanding of exercise anatomy and physiology 
• Develop your skills in exercise consultations, assessments and gym inductions 
• Develop an awareness of the importance of lifestyle management and client motivation 
• Plan and review gym programmes
• Supervise exercise and technique
• Develop your knowledge of how to continue your professional practice 

What do students say?

"Doing the course was one of the most enjoyable classes I took this year. I developed confidence, determination, motivation and communication skills. When it comes to testing and exams, it’s a straightforward and fun process; it’s nice to be able to show our understanding through making a programme for a client on a 1-2-1 basis and then taking them through it on a 60 min session." - Chelsea Bishop (year 1)

How you'll be taught

Face-to-face practical learning is held at the Engage Gym, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh and will be the main form of instruction and assessment. The course also consists of some online content.

Assessments  

Formative online tests and in-person delivery questions will assess competence in knowledge and skills; you will submit programme and progression plans, be observed conducting an assessed and progressed programme with a client (not a peer); and you will engage in a professional discussion to assess level of applied knowledge.

Entry requirements 

No prerequisite qualifications, apart from an interest in developing the required knowledge and skills to engage, facilitate, educate and support clients in the gym environment. 

Students from Edinburgh Napier's BSc Physical Activity and Health are required to achieve this professional standard to work in the sector. 

Other students may also benefit from this vocational training, for example MSc Clinical Exercise Science; MSc Physiotherapy; BSc Sport & Exercise Science students; BSc Nursing, and anyone else with an interest in developing the required knowledge and skills to engage, facilitate, educate and support clients in the gym environment.

Course fee

The course fee is £500. 

Edinburgh Napier University students are eligible for a discount, making the payable course fee £300.

Current students must insert the code provided by Angie Hardie: A.Hardie@napier.ac.uk or the full amount will be taken. Please email for the discount code.

Important dates  

• 5 days of practical delivery - Monday 7 July - Friday 11 July
• 2 days of assessment - July 21 and July 22
• Anatomy & Physiology online sessions - July Monday 7th / Wednesday 9th / Monday 14th / Wednesday 16th / Monday 21st / Wednesday 23rd / Monday 28th / Wednesday 30th (Assessment) - all online sessions are compulsory and at 18:00 – 20:00pm